Amusement roller slide



May 28, 1968 J. F. DAVIS 3,385,599

AMUSEMENT ROLLER SLIDE Filed April 1, 1966 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m/ns/vrafiJAMES f. DA W5,

BY EDWARD D, O'BR/AA/ ATTORNEY J. F. DAVIS May 28, 1968 AMUSEMENT ROLLERSLIDE Filed April 1, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 n a r F M 5 Q W 3 N 0 m .m 7W MA 6 M NZ J E May 28, 1968 DAVIS 3,385,599

AMUSEMENT ROLLER SLIDE Filed April 1, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 25 lNVEA/TOI?L/A MES F DA 105 EDWARD D. O'BR/A/v ATTOEA/E) J. F. DAVIS May 28, 1968AMUSEMENT ROLLER SLIDE Filed April 1, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /Nl E/V7'0RJAMES F DA v/s 5y EDWARD D. OER/AN Arroewer United States Patent3,335,599 AMUSEMENT ROLLER SLIDE James F. Davis, 17154 Nordhnff St.,Northridge, Calif. 91324 Filed Apr. 1, 1966, Set. No. 539,405 17 Claims.(Cl. 27256.5)

This invention is directed to a roller ride, the roller ride being anamusement device whereby persons can enter upon the ride at the higherend thereof and individually ride down to the lower end thereof, theride eing capable of several embodiments so as to impart different rideimpressions.

Slides are well known in the childrens playyard equipment field. Suchslides are conventionally straight troughs Which slant downward at auniform angle so that when a child enters upon the top end he slidesdown to the bottom. Such slides are primarily effective when the slidingsurface is clean and dry so that speed of different sliders is uniform,and none goes too slow or too fast. The angle is arranged so that whenin the cleanest condition for the maximum sliding speed, this speed islimited to a reasonable value for safety. Thence, when the slide becomesdirty, sliding virtually stops. While undulation and horizontal curvesare occasionally found in such slides, they are difficult to manufactureby reason of the nature of the sliding surface. Thus, such slides areseverely limited.

It is an object of this invention to provide a roller ride whichprovides different ride characteristics from the well known childrensslide and which is arrangeable in a plurality of differentconfigurations for different effects in different environments.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a roller ride whichprovides riding characteristics which are differcut for differentpersons riding thereon, so that smaller, lighter persons proceed downthe roller slide at a slower rate than heavier persons.

It is another object of this invention to provide a roller ride which iscomprised of a large plurality of rollers arranged upon slings so that arider rolls from one set of rollers to the other while supported by theslings.

It is another object of this invention to provide a roller ride havingflexible slings so that the slings can be easily positioned in theroller ride during the building of the structure, and wherein theindividual slings can adapt themselves to the various riders.

It is another object of this invention to provide a plurality of rollerson the roller ride sling, which plurality of rollers form into agenerally channel shaped configuration so as to provide safe sidesupport to prevent a rider from falling sidewards off of the rollerslide, each of the rollers on each sling being rotatable to permit easeof forward, downward motion of the rider.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent froma study of the following portion of this specification, the claims andthe attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, showing thepreferred embodiment of the rollerride of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation-a1 view of a second embodiment of the rollerride of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of this invention;

3,385,599 Patented May 28, 1968 FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinalsection through one of the side support rails of the roller ride,showing details of the roller and sling structure of the preferredembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a section taken generally along line 88 of FIG. 7

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a plurality of rollers upon a plurality ofslings, showing the inter-connection between the slings;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an inter-connecting link;

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of roller construction mounted upon asling;

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the roller structure mounted upona sling; and

'FIG. 13 is a section similar to FIG. 7, showing the further embodimentof the sling and roller construction.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated inessentially summary form that it is directed to a roller ride. Theroller ride comprises first and second side rails, spaced from eachother and suitably supported. A plurality of slings connect the siderails. The slings are sufficiently long so as to form a hanging loop. Aplurality of rollers are provided on each one of these slings, therollers being rotatable. The overall angle of the bottom of one sling tothe next is generally directed downwardly so that when a person entersupon the uppermost rollers in the uppermost sling, he descends fromroller to roller to the outlet of the roller ride. In differentembodiments, the side rails can be straight with the slings atsubstantially uniform lengths so that the roller ride provides a uniformdown-hill passage. In other embodiments, the side rails extend downwardat a uniform angle, but the slings are of different lengths so that thebottom of the slings defines a curved path. Thus, an undulating ride isobtained. In further embodiments, the side rails can be formed into avertical curve and provided with uniform length slings so that anundulating ride is formed. In another embodiment the side rails aresupported from downwardly sloping ground and are shaped to the groundcontour so that a ride generally corresponding to the ground shape isobtained. In a further embodiment, the side rails are bent into circulararcs so that a downwardly spiral path of travel is enjoyed.

Several roller arrangements are possible. In one em bodiment, arelatively thin metallic rod is connected as a hanging loop between theside rails. The rollers are rotatable on this loop. In one embodiment,anti-friction bearings are used for easy rotatability, in anotherembodiment, sliding bearings are used to provide greater friction toprevent excessive speed. In another embodiment, rollers are connectedtogether by universal joints so as to form a rotatable sling. This slinghas a rotating connection with the side rails.

This invention will be understood in greater detail by reference to thefollowing portion of the specification where the drawings are described.FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the roller ride of thisinvention which is generally indicated therein at 10. The roller side 10comprises upright posts 12, 14 and 16 which support side rails 18 and 20through yokes 22, 24 and 26. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the yokesextend crosswise on the upright posts, then upwardly and then inwardlyand are secured to the side rails 18 and 20 to support them in position.As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side rails come down to the ground atthe lower end of the ride 10 for support. Additionally, yoke 22 extendsupwardly so as to provide a looped handhold, and extends across abovethe entry platform to force the riders to be seated upon entering uponthe downwardly sloping portion of the ride. Also secured to yoke 22 isladder 28 which permits the riders to ascend to the entrance to theroller portion of this roller ride.

Protective pan 30 is mounted within yokes 22, 24 and 26 so as to form aprotective channel on the sides and the bottom of the roller ridebetween these points. Furthermore, pan 30 has louvres 32, directeddownwardly, to permit sand and debris to exit from the pan. Theprotective pan prevents mischievous youngsters from inserting objectsbetween the rollers, which action may injure the riders on the rollerslide. The lower portion of the roller ride is considered too close tothe ground to require such a protective pan, but such could be providedif desired. Furthermore, the pan 30 is preferably applied in allembodiments of the roller ride, even though it is illustrated only inFIGS. 1 and 2 with respect to the roller ride 10. It is omitted from thefollowing embodiments in order to clarify the showings.

It is to be noted that in the embodiment of FIG. 1 the slings carryingthe rollers are of uniform length and the side rails 18 and 20 arestraight and uniformly downwardly inclined. The slings themselves willbe disclosed in further detail in a later portion of this specification.For identification, the slings are indicated at 34.

The second embodiment of this roller ride of this invention is generallyindicated in FIG. 3 at 36. The roller ride 36 comprises upright posts38, 40 and 42 which support a pair of side rails 44 by means of yokes46, 48 and 50. Furthermore, ladder 52 provides a place to ascend intothe top of the roller ride. It is to be noted that the roller ride 38 atit is described, is identical to the roller ride 11). However, in theroller ride 36, the slings 54 are of varying length so as to provide anundulating ride within the confines of the straight side rails 44.Structurally the slings 54 can be identical to the slings 34, except forthe overall length of individual slings.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the third embodiment of the roller ride of thisinvention is generally indicated at 56. The roller ride 56 comprisesupright posts 58, 60 and 62 which support a pair of side rails 64 bymeans of yokes 66, 68 and 70, in an identical manner as indicated withrespect to FIG. 1. Furthermore, ladder 72 provides a place to ascendinto the top end of the roller ride. Side rails 64 are formed intovertical curves to provide an undulating ride and slings 74, secured toside rail 64 in supporting the rollers thereon, are of uniform length soas to provide an undulating ride. Again, the slings 74 are constructedsimilarly to slings 34, and are described in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the roller ride is generallyindicated therein at 76. The roller ride 76 illustrates the applicationof the generic roller ride invention to a downwardly sloping contour.The roller ride 76 is supported on a plurality of upright posts 78, eachbeing surmounted by a yoke 80. The side rails 82 and 84 are supported'by the yokes 80. Slings 86 are supported by side rails 82 and 84. Theslings 86 can be formed in the specific manner as hereinafter described.Furthermore, the slings 86 can either be of uniform length so as toprovide a downward ride which conforms to the shape of the side rails ormay be of somewhat different lengths so as to provide an undulating ridein specific areas. Furthermore, the height of the upright posts 78 maybe varied in accordance with the ground contour so that the downwardslope of the ride is appropriate and is only generally related to groundcontour rather than exactly related to it. The only requirement is thatthe exit end of the roller ride 76 be of proper height for conveniententry and for safe exit. The entry end of this roller ride may be justabove ground level with an appropriate entrance platform, or may beelevated and provided with a ladder of the type previously described. Ifdesired, a protective pan may be positioned beneath slings and supportedupon the yokes 80, in the manner previously described to protect ridersupon the roller ride 76.

Referring to FIG. 6, a further embodiment of the roller ride isgenerally indicated at 88. FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a roller ridehaving side rails 90 and 92 arranged in partially circular paths. Asshown, they extend for threequarters of a circle. In addition, theyextend spirally downward so as to provide a circular roller ride. Thelower ends 94 of side rails 90 and 92 are sufiiciently close to theground so that safe exit is permitted. The upper end 96 of the siderails 90 and 92 are elevated and have a ladder 98 connected thereto topermit the rider to ascend to the upper end of the ride. Slings 100 areconnected between the side rails 96 and 92. The slings provide rollersupon which the rider descends to roller ride 88.

The particular sling structure useable in any of the roller rides 10,36, 56, 76 and 88, are described in the FIG- URES 7 through 13. Severaldifferent embodiments are disclosed therein, and the difi'erentembodiments can be employed in accordance with particular requirements.Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, sling 102 is shown as beingconnected on one end to side rail 104. It is clear that side rail 104may be any one of the previously described side rails. Side rail 104 isa cylindrical tube and has a plurality of fastening openings locatedalong the lower surface thereof. Only one of such fastening openings isillustrated, but it is understood that there is one of such openings foreach end of each of the slings of the roller ride. Slot 106 is wideenough to accept shaft 108. Shaft 168 carries ball 110 on the endthereof, and shaft 108 swaged at 112 to prevent ball 110 from coming oilthe end of the shaft. Slot 106 is smaller than ball 110 so that the endof the shaft 198 is retained in side rail 104. Hole 114 is threaded andis open to slot 106. Hole 114 is large enough to pass ball 110 so ball110 can enter therein and shaft 108 moved into slot 106. Plug 116 isthreaded into hole 114 to prevent the end of the shaft from coming outof side rail 104. Each end of shaft 108 is secured to one of the siderails in this manner. Shaft 108 is sufiiciently long and is sutficientlyflexible so as to form a U-shaped sling. For example, shaft 108 may be ainch stainless steel rod. The length of shaft 108 depends on whether anundulating ride is desired by different lengths of said shafts and itdepends on the amount of U-shape desired between and below the siderails.

Rollers 118 are the preferred embodiment of the rollers mounted uponshaft 108. Rollers 118 comprise a cylindrical tubular center portion 120secured into roller ends 122 and 124. Roller ends 122 and 124 and tube120 are preferably of polymer composition material. The polymercomposition material need be tough and have low friction and low wearproperties. Ends 122 and 124 have large internal bores 126 which permitthe shaft 108 to be in curved configuration within the roller. Bearings128 engage directly upon shaft 108. Bearings 128 are provided withreliefs 130 which reduce the area in contact to permit sand to run outof the end of rollers 118. Furthermore, this reduced area in contactaids in proper hearing characteristics, especially in view of the bentcharacter of shaft 108.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the plurality of rollers 118 on a plurality ofshaft 108. The rollers 118 in the lower part of the U-shaped sling areprovided with sand outlet holes 132. These sand outlet holes permit thenormal soil of a playyard to discharge from the rollers 118. The sandholes 132 are formed in cylindrical tube 120. The sand holes 132 are notnecessary in the rollers positioned higher up on the sides of the sling102, for example as illustrated in FIG. 7, but they may be used there aswell if desired.

In order to prevent the slings 102 from moving apart, and perhapscatching the clothing or a bodily member of the person using the rollerride, shafts 108 are interconnected by connecting links 134. Theconnecting links 134 may be either metallic or polymer compositionmaterial and have holes 136 and 138 therein to engage over adjacentshafts 108. Slots 140 and 142 are provided at each of the holes 136 and138 so that the links may be inserted over the shafts. The link 134illustrated in FIG. is broken to indicate that various lengths of such alink may be necessary, especially in cases where the side rails areformed in horizontal curves. In such cases, the shafts 108 are furtherapart at the outer side rail than at the inner side rail, and variouslengths of link 134 would be necessary for proper inter-connection.

Another embodiment of rollers is generally indicated at 144. The roller144 comprises roller tube 146 and bearing balls 148. Roller tube 146 isa relatively large bore tube; equal to about /3 the outside diameter ofbearing balls 148. The ends of the tube 146 engage upon the outersurface of balls 148 sufficiently toward the maximum diameter to providestability. Roller tubes 146 and bearing balls 148 are alternatelypositioned along shaft 150 to form a complete sling which extendsbetween the side rails. Roller tube 146 is appropriately provided withsand holes 152 to permit the exit of sand therefrom. Bearing balls 148have large bores 154 entering each end so as to provide a relativelyrestricted bearing 156. This permits curvature of shaft 150 and reducesthe bearing area in contact. Furthermore if desired, the bearing can beformed with reliefs such as the reliefs 130 in FIG. 8. These reliefswould further aid in the discharge of sand and conformation of thebearing to the curvature of the particular shaft 150.

It is noted that the roller structures shown in detail in FIGS. 7 and 11are sleeve type or sliding type bearings. These bearings have arelatively high coeflicient of friction as compared to rolling typebearings. While roller rides of substantially uniform downward grade canbe provided with the same type of hearing, it may be desirable in thosewith changing slopes to provide bearings of lesser friction in theportions of lesser slope. For this purpose, roller 158, see FIG. 12, isprovided with anti-friction bearings. For example, roller 158 has body160 having a bearing bore therein. Anti-friction bearing 162, which isillustrated as a double-row ball hearing, but may be a single-row ballhearing or an appropriate roller or needle bearing, is mounted withinthe bearing bore. It is also engaged upon shaft 164 which forms part ofa complete sling extending between and secured to the said rails of theroller rod. A plurality of rollers 158 are provided along the length ofshaft 164. Seals 166 and 168 are mounted in roller body 160 and engageupon shaft 164 to prevent the entrance of soil into the bearing 162. Bythis means, individual slings having rollers thereon which roll moreeasily so as to maintain riders speed can be selectively provided in theroller ride.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 12, therollers each rotate on their support shaft independently of the adjacentrollers. Furthermore, a substantial independence of the rollers isprovided in the structure of FIG. 11. However, in the embodiment of FIG.13, the entire rotatable body of sling 166 rotates as a unit. Aplurality of rollers 168 are arranged so that a univeral joint 170 isconnected between each roller. Roller 168 comprises an outer polymercomposition material tube having a metallic tube 172 therein. Universaljoints are connected into the rollers and secured into the tube 172.Thus, a string of rollers 168 and universal joints 170 forms therotatable portion of the sling. The universal joints are of conventionalconstruction, and are illustrated with a flexible covering to preventdirt from entering therein. There are suflicient rollers 168 anduniversal joints 170 so as to substantially reach from one side rail tothe other of the roller ride in which they are mounted.

One side rail is illustrated at 174, and again is useable in the sameembodiments as side rail 104. Side rail 174 also has a slot 176 thereinjoining with plugged hole 178 which provides for entry and retention ofball 180. Ball 180 is secured to hearing housing 182. Universal joint186 carries shaft 188 which extends into bearing housing 182 andterminates in flange 190 which bears on bearing 184.

Thus, the entire sling 166 is flexible along its length through theuniversal joints and 186 and is flexibly connected to side rail 174.Furthermore, the portion of this sling from hearing 184 through theuniversal joints and rollers to the similar bearing on the opposite endis secured to the opposite side rail and is rotatable. Thus, anotherembodiment of sling is useful in the roller ride of this invention.

Flexibility of the slings has been described with respect to the severalembodiments. From these descriptions, it is clear that flexibility asviewed in the transverse cross section is the flexibility desired. Thisflexibility permits each individual sling to at least partiallyaccommodate to the load of a person riding along from sling to sling toat least partially shape the sling to the person. Flexibilitylongitudinally of the ride is undesired, for it would permit slingseparation in the longitudinal direction. Such would be uncomfortable,and would present the danger of catching a limb or clothing. Flexibilityon the longitudinal direction may be minimized or limited by a number ofdifferent types of construction including the links 134.

A definite use advantage of the roller ride of this invention is notimmediately apparent from the constructional details recited above. Thisadvantage is that smaller, lighter riders proceed more slowly down theroller ride than heavier riders. Thus, smaller children descend moreslowly and safely, in view of the their age, than larger children. Thecause of this functional advantage is that the momentum of a lighterchild is less, and part of this momentum is consumed in accelerating therollers on eah sling as they are reached. This is a very desirablebuiltin safety feature.

This invention having been described in its preferred embodiment, andseveral additional embodiments disclosed, it is clear that thisinvention is susceptible to numerous changes and embodiments within thescope of this invention and without the exercise of the inventivefaculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising a roller ride, said roller ridecomprising first and second spaced side rails, a plurality of slingsinterconnecting said side rails, the ends of said slings downwardlyhanging from said side rails, said slings depending below said siderails, each of said slings comprising a plurality of rollers positionedend to end, said plurality of rollers extending substantially from oneof said side rails to the other of said side rails, said slings defininga generally downwardly sloping path, said rollers being arranged so thatas a person enters upon the rollers at the upper end thereof, the personrides downward on said rollers between said side rails and causes atleast some of the rollers to rotate, and wherein said slings areflexible and said rollers at least partially conform in shape to theperson riding on the roller ride as he descends along the roller ridefrom one sling to the next.

2. The roller ride of claim 1, wherein there are upright posts, saidupright posts being adapted to be ground supported, said upright postscarrying yokes adjacent the top thereof, said yokes extending aroundsaid slings and engaging said side rails so as to secure said siderails.

3. The roller ride of claim 1 wherein said side rails are straight.

4. The roller ride of claim 3 wherein said slings are of substantiallyequal length so that the downward path of travel on said roller ride issubstantially straight.

5. The roller ride of claim 3 wherein said slings are of differentlength so that the downward path of motion of a person riding the rollerride is vertically curved.

6. The roller ride of claim 1 wherein said side rails are verticallycurved and said slings are substantially of equal length so that thedownward path of travel of the person riding the roller ride isvertically curved.

7. The roller ride of claim 1 wherein said side rails are horizontallycurved so that the path of the person riding the roller ride ishorizontally curved as he descends the roller ride.

8. The roller ride of claim 1 wherein each sling comprises a rod, saidrod being longer than the distance between said side rails, 'a pluralityof rollers positioned on said rod so as to be rotatable with respect tosaid rod, said rollers thus being rotatable on said rod by passage of aperson on the roller ride.

9. The roller ride of claim 8 wherein each of said rollers comprises atubular center portion and ends, each of said ends having a bearingtherein, said bearings engaging said rod.

10. The roller ride of claim 9 wherein said bearings are longitudinallygrooved so as to reduce bearing area.

11. The roller ride of claim 8 wherein said roller comprises a rollertube and first and second bearing balls, said roller tube engaging onthe outside of said bearing balls, said bearing balls having an interiorbearing therein, said interior bearing engaging upon said rod so thatsaid balls and said roller tubes are rotatable with respect to said rod.

12. The roller ride of claim 8 wherein said roller comprises a tubularroller body, and an anti-friction bearing mounted within said body, saidanti-friction bearing being positioned on said rod, seals adjacent saidbearing to inhibit the entry of contaminants into said bearing.

13. The roller ride of claim 8 wherein at least some of said rollers ofsaid roller ride have sand holes therein, said sand holes permitting theexit of sand from the interior of said rollers.

14. The roller ride of claim 1 wherein inter-connecting links areconnected between adjacent of said slings, said interconnecting linkspreventing substantial'separation of said slings with respect to eachother.

15. The roller ride of claim 1 wherein each sling comprises a pluralityof rollers and a plurality of universal joints, said rollers and saiduniversal joints being seria ly connected to form the rotatable portionof each sling,

said rotatable portion of each sling being rotatably con-,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 830,853 9/1906 Thompson 272 s6.s1,707,854 4/1929 Hanlon 272-565 3,026,981 3/1962 Youtie 193 3s FOREIGNPATENTS 12,359 5/1906 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

30 P. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISING A ROLLER RIDE, SAID ROLLER RIDECOMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND SPACED SIDE RAILS, A PLURALITY OF SLINGSINTERCONNECTING SAID SIDE RAILS, THE ENDS OF SAID SLINGS DOWNWARDLYHANGING FROM SAID SIDE RAILS, SAID SLINGS DEPENDING BELOW SAID SIDERAILS, EACH OF SAID SLINGS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ROLLERS POSITIONEDEND TO END, SAID PLURALITY OF ROLLERS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY FROM ONEOF SAID SIDE RAILS TO THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE RAILS, SAID SLINGS DEFININGA GENERALLY DOWNWARDLY SLOPING PATH, SAID ROLLERS BEING ARRANGED SO THATAS A PERSON ENTERS UPON THE ROLLERS AT THE UPPER END THEREOF, THE PERSONRIDES DOWNWARD ON SAID ROLLERS BETWEEN SAID SIDE RAILS AND CAUSES ATLEAST SOME OF THE ROLLERS TO ROTATE, AND WHEREIN SAID SLINGS AREFLEXIBLE AND SAID ROLLERS AT LEAST PARTIALLY CONFORM IN SHAPE TO THEPERSON RIDING ON THE ROLLER RIDE AS HE DESCENDS ALONG THE ROLLER RIDEFROM ONE SLING TO THE NEXT.